Vehicle security system for a vehicle having a data communications bus and related methods

ABSTRACT

A vehicle security system includes a vehicle security sensor and associated sensor bus interface, an alarm indicator and associated alarm indicator bus interface, and an alarm controller and associated alarm controller bus interface for interfacing the alarm controller. The vehicle security system is for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus connecting a plurality of vehicle devices. The security system preferably further includes a desired signal enabling circuit for enabling the alarm controller to operate using a set of desired signals for a desired vehicle from among a plurality of possible sets of signals for different vehicles. Accordingly, the desired signal enabling circuit permits the alarm controller to communicate with the vehicle security sensor and the alarm indicator via the data communications bus so that the alarm controller is capable of operating the alarm indicator responsive to the vehicle security sensor. The desired signal enabling circuit may preferably learn the desired set of signals from the plurality of different sets of signals for different vehicles by connection and communications with a downloading device, such as a portable or laptop computer. The desired signal enabling circuit may also be included in other vehicle remote control systems. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/701,356 filed Aug. 22, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No.5,719,551.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is related to the field of security systems and, moreparticularly, to a security system and related methods for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle security systems are widely used to deter vehicle theft, preventtheft of valuables from a vehicle, deter vandalism, and to protectvehicle owners and occupants. A typical automobile security system, forexample, includes a central processor or controller connected to aplurality of vehicle sensors. The sensors, for example, may detectopening of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, and also movement of thevehicle or within the vehicle. Ultrasonic and microwave motiondetectors, vibration sensors, sound discriminators, differentialpressure sensors, and switches may be used as sensors. In addition,radar sensors may be used to monitor the area proximate the vehicle.

The controller typically operates to give an alarm indication in theevent of triggering of a vehicle sensor. The alarm indication maytypically be a flashing of the lights and/or the sounding of the vehiclehorn or a siren. In addition, the vehicle fuel supply and/or ignitionpower may be selectively disabled based upon an alarm condition.

A typical security system also includes a receiver associated with thecontroller that cooperates with one or more remote transmitterstypically carried by the user as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 4,383,242 to Sassover et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,215 to Drori.The remote transmitter may be used to arm and disarm the vehiclesecurity system or provide other remote control features from apredetermined range away from the vehicle. Also related to remotecontrol of a vehicle function U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,966 to Lambropoulouset al. discloses a remote keyless entry system for a vehicle. Thekeyless entry system permits the user to remotely open the vehicle doorsor open the vehicle trunk using a small handheld transmitter.

Unfortunately, the majority of vehicle security systems need to bedirectly connected by wires to individual vehicle devices, such as thevehicle horn or door switches of the vehicle. In other words, aconventional vehicle security system is hardwired to various vehiclecomponents, typically by splicing into vehicle wiring harnesses or viainterposing T-harnesses and connectors. The number of electrical devicesin a vehicle has increased so that the size and complexity of wiringharnesses has also increased. For example, the steering wheel mayinclude horn switches, an airbag, turn-signal and headlight switches,wiper controls, cruise control switches, ignition wiring, an emergencyflasher switch, and/or radio controls. ikewise, a door of a vehicle, forexample, may include window controls, locks, outside mirror switches,and/or door-panel light switches.

In response to the increased wiring complexity and costs, vehiclemanufacturers have begun attempts to reduce the amount of wiring withinvehicles to reduce weight, reduce wire routing problems, decrease costs,and reduce complications which may arise when troubleshooting theelectrical system. For example, some manufacturers have adoptedmultiplexing schemes to seduce cables to three or four wires and tosimplify the exchange of data among the various onboard electronicsystems as disclosed, for example, in "The Thick and Thin of CarCabling" by Thompson appearing in the IEEE Spectrum, February 1996, pp.42-45.

Implementing multiplexing concepts in vehicles in a cost-effective andreliable manner may not be easy. Successful implementation, for example,may require the development of low or error-free communications in whatcan be harsh vehicle environments. With multiplexing technology, thevarious electronic modules or devices may be linked by a single signalwire in a bus also containing a power wire, and one or more groundwires. Digital messages are communicated to all modules over the datacommunications bus. Each message may have one or more addressesassociated with it so that the devices can recognize which messages toignore and which messages to respond to or read.

The Thompson article describes a number of multiplexed networks forvehicles. In particular, the Grand Cherokee made by Chrysler isdescribed as having five multiplex nodes or controllers: the enginecontroller, the temperature controller, the airbag controller, the theftalarm, and the overhead console. Other nodes for different vehicles mayinclude a transmission controller, a trip computer, an instrumentcluster controller, an antilock braking controller, an active suspensioncontroller, and a body controller for devices in the passengercompartment.

A number of patent references are also directed to digital or multiplexcommunications networks or circuits, such as may be used in a vehicle.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,262 Sinniger et al. discloses amultiplex bus system including a master control unit and a plurality ofreceiver-transmitter units connected thereto. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No.4,055,772 to Leung discloses a power bus in a vehicle controlled by alow current digitally coded communications system. Other referencesdisclosing various vehicle multiplex control systems include, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,275 to Sato et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,092to Roggendorf et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,783 to Burgess et al.

Several standards have been proposed for vehicle multiplex networksincluding, for example, the Society of Automotive Engineers "SurfaceVehicle Standard, Class B Data Communications Network Interface", SAEJ1850, July 1995. Another report by the SAE is the "Surface VehicleInformation Report, Chrysler Sensor and Control (CSC) Bus MultiplexingNetwork for Class `A` Applications", SAE J2058, July 1990. Many othernetworks are also being implemented or proposed for communicationsbetween vehicle devices and nodes or controllers.

Unfortunately, conventional vehicle security systems for hardwiredconnection to vehicle devices, such as aftermarket vehicle securitysystems, are not readily adaptable to a vehicle including a datacommunications bus. Moreover, a vehicle security system if adapted for acommunications bus and devices for one particular model, model year, andmanufacturer, may not be compatible with any other models, model years,or manufacturers. Other systems for remote control of vehicle functionsmay also suffer from such shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of thepresent invention to provide a vehicle security system and associatedmethod which is readily adapted or adaptable for installation in avehicle having a data communications bus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a securitysystem or other remote control function systems and associated methodsfor installation in a vehicle having a data communications bus, andwherein the vehicle is one from among a plurality of different vehicleswith different device addresses and/or signal protocols forcommunicating with the vehicle devices.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention are provided by a vehicle security system for a vehicle of atype including a data communications bus connecting a plurality ofvehicle devices. In particular, the vehicle security system preferablycomprises a vehicle security sensor and associated sensor bus interfacemeans for interfacing the vehicle security sensor to the datacommunications bus. The vehicle security system also preferably includesan alarm indicator and associated alarm indicator bus interface meansfor interfacing the alarm indicator to the data communications bus. Analarm controller and associated alarm controller bus interface means arealso preferably included. The security system further preferablycomprises desired signal enabling means for enabling the alarmcontroller to operate using a desired set of signals for a desiredvehicle from among a plurality of possible sets of signals for differentvehicles. Accordingly, the desired signal enabling means permits thealarm controller to communicate with the vehicle security sensor and thealarm indicator via the data communications bus so that the alarmcontroller is capable of operating the alarm indicator responsive to thevehicle security sensor. The security system is thus advantageouslycompatible with many different types of vehicle data communicationsformats or protocols.

The data communications bus may preferably be a multiplexed data bus.Accordingly, the sensor bus interface means, the alarm bus interfacemeans, and the alarm controller bus interface means may each comprisemultiplexing means for interfacing with the multiplexed data bus of thevehicle.

The desired signal enabling means may comprise learning means forlearning the desired set of signals. Moreover, the learning means maycomprise downloading learning means for learning the desired set ofsignals from another device which is temporarily connected thereto, suchas a portable or laptop computer or other downloading device.

The concepts and features of the invention may also be desirablyincorporated in a remote control system for a vehicle, such as a vehiclesecurity system, a remote engine starter system, or a remote keylessentry system, for example. The remote control system preferablycomprises a remote transmitter and a receiver within the vehicle forreceiving a signal from the remote transmitter. A vehicle functioncontroller is provided along with an associated vehicle functioncontroller bus interface means for interfacing the vehicle functioncontroller to the data communications bus. The remote control systemalso includes desired signal enabling means for causing the vehiclefunction controller to operate using a desired set of signals for adesired vehicle from a plurality of possible sets of digital signals fordifferent vehicles, as may be downloaded from a downloading devicetemporarily connected thereto. Accordingly, the vehicle functioncontroller can communicate with a vehicle device via the datacommunications bus so that the vehicle function controller is capable ofoperating the vehicle device responsive to the remote transmitter.Method aspects of this embodiment of the invention are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle security system inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a remote transmitter of the vehiclesecurity system in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a first embodimentof the vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a second embodimentof the vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a third embodimentof the vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a fourth embodimentof the vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a variation of thefourth embodiment of the vehicle security system in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle security system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a remote keyless entry system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a remote engine starting systemin accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Prime and multiple primenotation are used in alternate embodiments to indicate similar elements.

Referring now to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 1, a vehiclesecurity system 10 according to one aspect of the invention is firstdescribed. The security system includes a controller 11 which, in turn,in the illustrated embodiment includes a central processing unit (CPU)or microprocessor 12 operating under stored program control.

In the illustrated embodiment, a transmitter and receiver 13 areconnected to the CPU 12 for receiving signals from a remote transmitterand for transmitting signals to a remote unit, as will be described ingreater detail below. As would be readily understood by those skilled inthe art, the transmitter portion of the controller 11 may not be neededin some embodiments of the invention. An antenna 13a is illustrativelyconnected to the transmitter and receiver 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, the CPU 12 is also operatively connectedto a memory (EEPROM) 14 and a data communications bus interface 15 whichprovides both input and output interfaces to various vehicle devices. Aswould be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the CPU 12 mayalternately or additionally have its own on-board memory.

The data communications bus interface 15 is illustratively connected tovarious vehicle input devices including: an ignition switch 20; a key inthe ignition sensor 21; two zone sensors 22a, 22b; conventional trunkhood and door pin sensors or switches 23, 24, and 25, respectively; anddoor lock switches 28. In addition, a pre-warn sensor 26 and valetswitch 27 also provide inputs to the controller 11 in the illustratedembodiment. As would be readily understood by those skilled in the art,other inputs are also contemplated by the present invention and aregenerally described herein by the term sensor. In addition, an inputsignal may also be received from a remote transmitter 50 (FIG. 2).

The data communications bus interface 15 of the controller 11 may alsopreferably be connected to a plurality of output devices. The outputsmay include auxiliary relay outputs 30, such as for window control,remote starting, or a remote alarm indication, as would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art. A siren and/or lights 31, andgreen and red light emitting diodes (LEDs) 32, 33 for dashboard mountingare also illustratively connected to the controller 11. Other outputsmay be directed to a valet LED 34, a dome light 36, a central lock relayor lock control unit 41, a starter kill circuit 42, and an armed relayoutput 43. In addition, other outputs may be directed to one or more ofan audible tone generator 37, an alphanumeric display 44, a speechmessage annunciator 45, and a vibration transducer 46, as will bereadily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Other similarindicating devices are also contemplated by the present invention, aswould be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Some of theillustrated devices may be hardwired to various control nodes as wouldbe readily understood by those skilled in the art. The control nodes maybe connected by the data communications bus as would also be known tothose skilled in the art.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, a remote transmitter 50 inaccordance with the invention is described. The remote transmitter 50illustratively includes a housing 51 and a plurality of first momentarycontact switches 52a-52d carried by the housing. A second momentarycontact switch 53 and an indicating light, such as the illustrated LED54 are also carried by or mounted on the housing 51. As would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art, the remote transmitter 50 istypically relatively small and includes an opening 55 for facilitatingconnection to a vehicle key ring, for example. In addition, the remotetransmitter 50 includes a central processing unit or microprocessor 56operatively connected to the plurality of first switches 52a-52d, thesecond switch 53, and the LED 54. The microprocessor is also connectedto a transmitter and/or receiver circuit 57 and its associated antenna57a for transmitting and/or receiving signals to and from the controller11 of the vehicle security system 10. Accordingly, the term "remotetransmitter" is used broadly herein to describe the embodiment alsoincluding receiver means.

The remote transmitter 50 may also include a numeric or alphanumericdisplay 58, and a speaker 59 coupled to an audible tone generator or aspeech message generator, as may be provided by the microprocessor 56. Avibration transducer, not shown, may also be incorporated into theremote transmitter 50 for communicating to the user as would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Of course, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art,the remote transmitter may be a central station, for example, ratherthan a handheld unit 50 as shown in FIG. 2. Also the remote transmittermay include a handheld unit that communicates first to a centralstation. Other forms of remote transmitters are also contemplated by theinvention as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Turning now additionally to FIG. 3 a first embodiment of the desiredsignal enabling means 17 is described. The vehicle security system 10preferably comprises a vehicle security sensor and associated sensor businterface means 60 for interfacing the vehicle security sensor to thedata communications bus 62. The vehicle security system 10 alsopreferably includes an alarm indicator and associated alarm indicatorbus interface means 64 for interfacing the alarm indicator to the datacommunications bus. Examples of vehicle security sensors and alarmindicators are described above in greater detail with reference to FIG.1.

The security system 10 further preferably comprises desired signalenabling means 17 for enabling the alarm controller 10 to operate usinga desired set of signals for a desired vehicle from among a plurality ofpossible sets of signals for different vehicles. As would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art, the term different vehicles mayinclude vehicles from different manufacturers, different models, or evendifferent trim levels of the same make and model. Accordingly, thedesired signal enabling means 17 permits the alarm controller, that is,the security CPU and bus interface 65, to communicate with the vehiclesecurity sensor and the alarm indicator via the data communications bus62 so that the CPU is capable of operating the alarm indicatorresponsive to the vehicle security sensor.

The data communications bus 62 may preferably be a multiplexed data busas would be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the sensor bus interface means, the alarm bus interface means, and thealarm controller bus interface means may each comprise multiplexingmeans for interfacing with the multiplexed data bus of the vehicle. Forexample, any of the various multiplexing schemes as disclosed in "TheThick and Thin of Car Cabling" by Thompson appearing in the IEEESpectrum, February 1996, pp. 42-45 may be used. Other data busconnection schemes are also contemplated by the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, one embodiment of the desired signal enablingmeans 17 may preferably include a memory 70 for storing a plurality ofsets 72a, 72b and 72n of signals for different vehicles, and selectingmeans for selecting the desired set of signals from the plurality ofdifferent sets of signals for different vehicles. By storing sets ofsignals is meant storing information or data necessary to generate thedesired signals on the data bus 62 as would be readily understood bythose skilled in the art. The memory 70 may include device addressmemory means for storing a plurality of different sets of signalsrepresentative of different device addresses for different vehicles.Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the memory means may compriseprotocol memory means for storing a plurality of different protocols fordifferent vehicles. One or more other control nodes and associated businterfaces 66 may also be connected to the data communications bus 62 aswould also be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Forexample, other control nodes may include an engine controller therebypermitting the alarm controller to disable the engine, or the bodycontroller thereby permitting the alarm controller to control thevehicle door locks as would be readily understood by those skilled inthe art.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the selecting means maycomprise user selecting means 75 for permitting a user to select thedesired set of signals. A keypad or other input means may be used topermit the user to select the desired signal set for his vehicle. Thevalet switch 27 (FIG. 1), for example, may also be operated by the userto select the desired signal set. The user may select the desired set ofsignals by entering a unique digital code similar to the selection ofsignals for a home electronics universal remote control. Othertechniques for permitting the user to select the desired signal set froma plurality of stored sets are also contemplated by the invention aswould be readily appreciated by those Skilled in the art.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 4 another embodiment of the desiredsignal enabling means 17' is described in accordance with the securitysystem 10' of the present invention. In this embodiment, the selectingmeans may comprise bus determining means 77 for determining the desiredset of signals based upon signals on the data communications bus. Forexample, the bus determining means could determine the desired set ofsignals based upon sensed voltage levels or based upon the timing ofsignal pulses on the data communications bus 62. The other components ofthis embodiment of the desired signal enabling means 17' are similar tothose described above with reference to FIG. 3 and need no furtherdescription.

Yet another embodiment of the security system 10" according to theinvention is explained with reference to FIG. 5. In this illustratedembodiment the desired signal enabling means 17" includes a desiredsignal set memory 81 operatively connected to the illustrated buslearning means 80. The bus learning means 80 may determine and store inthe signal set memory 81 the protocol and/or device addresses for thevehicle devices. For example, the bus learning means 80 may permit theuser to operate various vehicle devices and store a desired signal setbased thereon as would be readily understood by those skilled in theart. The other components of the desired signal enabling means 17" aresimilar to those described above with reference to FIG. 3 and need nofurther description.

Still another embodiment of the desired signal enabling means 17'" isexplained with reference to FIG. 6A. The desired signal enabling means17'" includes a signal set memory 81 operatively connected to theschematically illustrated download learning means 84. The downloadlearning means 84 may include an interface connected to the illustratedvehicle cellular telephone 86 to permit learning or downloading of thedesired signal set from a remote or central monitoring and controlstation 88, for example. The desired signal set may also alternately belearned from the central station 88 through the satellite link providedby the satellite 110 and vehicle mounted satellite receiver 111 andassociated antennas. As would be readily understood by those skilled inthe art, the download learning means, as well as the other desiredsignal enabling leans may be implemented by software in the CPU 12 ofthe controller 11 or in a separate microprocessor or circuits.

Turning now additionally to FIG. 6B, another variation of programming,learning or downloading of the download learning means 84 is explained.In this variation the download learning means 84 is temporarilyconnected to a computer, such as the illustrated portable laptopcomputer 115. The connection, may be via a wire cable or wirelesscommunications link as will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art. Of course, the desired signal enabling means 17"" in thisembodiment may be programmed in the vehicle or prior to installation inthe vehicle.

One implementation of the security system 10 is shown in FIG. 7 andincludes the vehicle security controller 11. The remote transmitter 50can switch the controller 11 between the armed and disarmed modes. Thecontroller 11 in the armed mode is capable of generating an alarmindication via the siren 31 (FIG. 1) and based upon the door switches 25(FIG. 1), for example. The communications are via the datacommunications bus 62, and are based upon the desired signal set fromthe desired signal enabling means 17.

The features and aspects described above may also be readily implementedinto other vehicle related systems, such as for performing remotecontrol functions. As shown in FIG. 8, the invention may be embodied ina remote keyless entry system 90 including a remote keyless entrycontroller 91 operated by a remote handheld transmitter 93. Thecontroller 91 communicates with the door lock motors 94 and illustratedtrunk release 96 via the data communications bus 62. The remote keylessentry system 90 also includes the desired signal enabling means 17 whichpermits the controller 91 to perform the desired door locking and trunkrelease remote control functions or operations as would also be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art. As would be readily appreciatedby those skilled in the art, any of the desired signal enabling meansdescribed herein and equivalent thereto may be used for the remotekeyless entry system 90 in accordance with the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 9, yet another vehicle associated remote controlfunction is illustrated and now explained. The remote engine startingsystem 100 includes a remote start controller 101 operable by a remotetransmitter 103. The remote controller 101 may communicate via the datacommunications bus 62 to enable the ignition and fuel systems 106 andcrank the engine starter 104. Various sensors may also be monitored aswould be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

A method aspect of the invention is for operating a vehicle securitysystem 10 for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus 62connecting a plurality of vehicle devices The method preferablycomprises the steps of interfacing an alarm controller 11 to the datacommunications bus 62, and enabling the alarm controller to operateusing a desired set of digital signals for a desired vehicle from aplurality of possible sets of signals for different vehicles to therebypermit the alarm controller to communicate with at least one of avehicle security sensor 60 and an alarm indicator 64 via the datacommunications bus 62 (FIG. 3). Accordingly, the alarm controller iscapable of operating the alarm indicator responsive to the vehiclesecurity sensor and via the data communication bus.

Another method of the invention is for remotely controlling a vehiclefunction for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus 62connecting a plurality of vehicle devices, and a vehicle functioncontroller and associated bus interface means for interfacing thevehicle function controller to the data communications bus. The methodcomprising the steps of: enabling the vehicle function controller tooperate using a desired set of signals for a desired vehicle from aplurality of sets of signals for different vehicles for permitting thevehicle function controller to communicate via the data communicationsbus with at least one of the vehicle devices; and receiving a signal atthe vehicle from a remote transmitter so that the vehicle functioncontroller remotely controls a vehicle function responsive to the remotetransmitter.

Those of skill in the art will readily recognize the benefits andadvantages of the present invention for aftermarket security systems andother aftermarket systems for implementing remote control functionswherein compatibility with a potentially large number of differentprotocols and/or device addresses is desired. Of course, manymodifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to themind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Accordingly, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe illustrated embodiments disclosed, and that the modifications andembodiments are intended to be included within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle security system for a vehicle ofa type including a data communications bus connecting a plurality ofvehicle devices, said vehicle security system comprising:a vehiclesecurity sensor and associated sensor bus interface means forinterfacing said vehicle security sensor to the data communications bus;an alarm indicator and associated alarm indicator bus interface meansfor interfacing said alarm indicator to the data communications bus; analarm controller and associated alarm controller bus interface means forinterfacing said alarm controller to the data communications bus; anddesired signal enabling means for enabling said alarm controller tooperate using a desired set of signals for a corresponding desiredvehicle from a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles forpermitting said alarm controller to communicate with said vehiclesecurity sensor and said alarm indicator via the data communications busso that said alarm controller is capable of operating said alarmindicator responsive to said vehicle security sensor, said desiredsignal enabling means comprising download learning means for learningthe desired set of signals from a downloading device temporarilyconnected thereto.
 2. A vehicle security system according to claim 1wherein said download learning means comprises means for learning thedesired set of signals from a computer temporarily connected thereto. 3.A vehicle security system according to claim 1 wherein said desiredsignal enabling means comprises protocol providing means for providing aprotocol for the desired vehicle.
 4. A vehicle security system accordingto claim 1 wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises deviceaddress providing means for providing device addresses for the desiredvehicle.
 5. A vehicle security system according to claim 1 furthercomprising a vehicle controller and associated vehicle controller businterface means for connecting the vehicle controller to the datacommunications bus; and wherein said alarm controller is operativelyconnected to said vehicle controller.
 6. A vehicle security systemaccording to claim 1 wherein the data communications bus is amultiplexed data bus; and wherein the sensor bus interface means, thealarm bus interface means, and the alarm controller bus interface meanseach comprises multiplex interface means for interfacing with themultiplexed data bus.
 7. A vehicle security system according to claim 1wherein said vehicle security sensor comprises one of a door switch, atrunk switch, a proximity sensor, and a motion sensor.
 8. A vehiclesecurity system according to claim 1 wherein said alarm indicatorcomprises one of a vehicle light, a vehicle horn, a siren, a speechmessage generator, and a remote pager.
 9. A vehicle security system fora vehicle of a type including a data communications bus connecting aplurality of vehicle devices, the vehicle devices comprising at leastone of a vehicle security sensor and an alarm indicator, said vehiclesecurity system comprising:an alarm controller and associated alarmcontroller bus interface means for interfacing said alarm controller tothe data communications bus; and desired signal enabling means forenabling said alarm controller to operate using a desired set of signalsfor a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of signalsfor different vehicles for permitting said alarm controller tocommunicate via the data communications bus with at least one of thevehicle security sensor and the alarm indicator, said desired signalenabling means comprising download learning means for learning thedesired set of signals from a downloading device temporarily connectedthereto.
 10. A vehicle security system according to claim 9 wherein saiddownload learning means comprises means for learning the desired set ofsignals from a computer temporarily connected thereto.
 11. A vehiclesecurity system according to claim 9 further comprising wirelesscommunications means cooperating with said download learning means forreceiving signals from a remote downloading device.
 12. A vehiclesecurity system according to claim 9 wherein said signal desiredenabling means comprises protocol providing means for providing aprotocol for the desired vehicle.
 13. A vehicle security systemaccording to claim 9 wherein said desired signal enabling meanscomprises device address providing means for providing desired addressesfor the desired vehicle.
 14. A vehicle security system according toclaim 9 wherein the data communications bus is a multiplexed data bus;and wherein the alarm controller bus interface means comprises multiplexinterface means for interfacing with the multiplexed data bus.
 15. Amethod for operating a vehicle security system for a vehicle of a typeincluding a data communications bus connecting a plurality of vehicledevices, the method comprising the steps of:interfacing an alarmcontroller to the data communications bus; and enabling said alarmcontroller to operate using a set of desired signals for a correspondingdesired vehicle from a plurality of sets of signals for differentvehicles for permitting said alarm controller to communicate via thedata communications bus with at least one of a vehicle security sensorand an alarm indicator, the enabling step comprising learning thedesired set of signals from a downloading device temporarily connectedto the alarm controller.
 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein thelearning step comprises learning the desired set of signals from acomputer temporarily connected to the alarm controller.
 17. A remotecontrol system for a vehicle of a type including a data communicationsbus connecting a plurality of vehicle devices, said remote controlsystem comprising:a remote transmitter; a receiver within the vehiclefor receiving a signal from said remote transmitter; a vehicle functioncontroller, operatively connected to said receiver, and associatedvehicle function controller bus interface means for interfacing saidvehicle function controller to the data communications bus; and desiredsignal enabling means for enabling said vehicle function controller tooperate using a desired set of signals for a corresponding desiredvehicle from a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles forpermitting said vehicle function controller to communicate via the datacommunications bus with a vehicle device so that said vehicle functioncontroller is capable of operating the vehicle device responsive to saidremote transmitter, said desired signal enabling means comprisingdownload learning means for learning the desired set of signals from adownloading device temporarily connected thereto.
 18. A remote controlsystem for a vehicle according to claim 17 wherein said downloadlearning means comprises means for learning the desired set of signalsfrom a computer temporarily connected thereto.
 19. A remote controlsystem for a vehicle according to claim 17 wherein the plurality ofvehicle devices comprises a vehicle security sensor and associatedsensor bus interface means for interfacing said vehicle security sensorto the data communications bus; and wherein said vehicle functioncontroller comprises an alarm controller being capable of generating analarm responsive to the vehicle security sensor.
 20. A remote controlsystem for a vehicle according to claim 17 wherein the plurality ofvehicle devices comprises a plurality of vehicle door locks movablebetween locked and unlocked positions and associated bus interface meansfor interfacing said door locks to the data communications bus; andwherein said vehicle function controller comprises a door lockcontroller for moving the vehicle door locks between locked and unlockedpositions responsive to said remote transmitter.
 21. A remote controlsystem for a vehicle according to claim 17 where said plurality ofvehicle devices comprises vehicle engine starting means and associatedbus interface means for interfacing said vehicle engine starting meansto the data communications bus; and wherein said vehicle functioncontroller comprises a remote start controller for operating the vehicleengine starting means responsive to said remote transmitter.
 22. Aremote control system for a vehicle according to claim 17 wherein saiddesired signal enabling means comprises protocol providing means forproviding a protocol for the desired vehicle.
 23. A remote controlsystem for a vehicle according to claim 17 wherein said desired signalenabling means comprises device address providing means for providingdevice addresses for the desired vehicle.
 24. A remote control systemfor a vehicle according to claim 17 further comprising a second vehiclecontroller and associated vehicle controller bus interface means forconnecting to the data communications bus; and wherein said vehiclefunction controller is operatively connected to said second vehiclecontroller.
 25. A remote control system for a vehicle according to claim17 wherein the data communications bus is a multiplexed data bus; andwherein the vehicle function controller bus interface means comprisesmultiplexing means for interfacing with the multiplexed data bus.
 26. Amethod for remotely controlling a vehicle function for a vehicle of atype including a data communications bus connecting a plurality ofvehicle devices, and a vehicle function controller and associated businterface means for interfacing the vehicle function controller to thedata communications bus; the method comprising the steps of:enabling thevehicle function controller to operate using a desired set of signalsfor a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of signalsfor different vehicles for permitting the vehicle function controller tocommunicate via the data communications bus with at least one of thevehicle devices, the enabling step comprising learning the desired setof signals from a downloading device temporarily connected to thevehicle function controller; and receiving a signal at the vehicle froma remote transmitter so that the vehicle function controller remotelycontrols a vehicle function responsive to the remote transmitter.
 27. Amethod according to claim 26 wherein the learning step compriseslearning the desired set of signals from a computer temporarilyconnected to the vehicle function controller.
 28. A method according toclaim 26 wherein the plurality of vehicle devices comprises a vehiclesecurity sensor and associated sensor bus interface means forinterfacing the vehicle security sensor to the data communications bus;wherein the vehicle function controller comprises an alarm controllermovable between armed and disarmed modes, the alarm controller when inthe armed mode being capable of generating an alarm indicationresponsive to the vehicle security sensor; and wherein the step ofreceiving comprises receiving a signal so that the vehicle functioncontroller is moved to one of the armed and disarmed modes.
 29. A methodaccording to claim 26 wherein the plurality of vehicle devices comprisesa plurality of vehicle door locks movable between locked and unlockedpositions and associated bus interface means for interfacing the doorlocks to the data communications bus; and wherein the step of receivingcomprises moving the vehicle door locks to one of locked and unlockedpositions responsive to the remote transmitter.
 30. A method accordingto claim 26 wherein the plurality of vehicle devices comprises vehicleengine starting means and associated bus interface means for interfacingthe vehicle engine starting means to the data communications bus; andwherein the step of receiving comprises operating the vehicle enginestarting means responsive to the remote transmitter.